Desiring Brethren

Tanner Hofs, David Short, Jackson O'Brien•desiringbrethren.blogspot.com

Join Tanner, Jackson, and Dave as their Christian theology is put to the test by the trivial, the controversial, and the unconventional. When they (repeatedly) find themselves swamped in their own ignorance, witness their special guests (biologists, pastors, music producers, and more) swoop in to save the day!

Last refreshed: August 16th, 2025 at 5:06 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Brethren Never Say Die

This is it friends... our swan song, our final will and testament, our eulogy to ourselves. BRETHREN FOREVER!

Sep 19, 2017

Talking With Non-Brethrens 101

In our second-to-last episode ever, we talk about finding common ground with other religions! To infinitely help us with that, we're joined by David Shorten... no, not David Short. We'll explain later. I know, I know.

Sep 08, 2017

Pacifism: Not Just For Whackos?

With Tanner away, Jack decides to gang up on Dave with two of his good friends, Chris and Josh. The nice part about being ganged up on by pacifists is that you can beat them up easily, so Dave winds up just fine.

Sep 01, 2017

The Totally RADICAL Family of God

Jack's got a radical idea... it's a big one. His mom doesn't agree with it. It'll get him kicked out of high society. But he BELIEVES it, gosh darn it!

Aug 18, 2017

Top 5 Christ Figures in Film

After a looooooong break, we're back in a major way. Disclaimer: we do not own or profit from any of the film clips in this episode.

Aug 13, 2017

Music Music Music

We've commandeered Tom MacPherson for another episode, and he joins Tanner and Dave to think all sorts of musical thoughts!

Jul 06, 2017

The Hezeniah Awards!

Ferda Bible nerds out there, our love song to you: an award show celebrating all the minor characters. Enjoy.

Jun 29, 2017

Abandon the Global Village?

With the flood of information from around the world, has it all just become entertainment? Does it ever lead to action? Are we 'amusing ourselves to death'? Should North American Christians stop putting their focus internationally, and invest in our home turf? All these questions and more, with no guarantee of answers forthcoming!

Jun 22, 2017

The Noah Movie Fight!

Finally, it's happened! Dave and Tanner watch Aronofsky's "Noah", coming away with questions like: Why does Noah try to kill babies? Is Noah fighting global warming? And, most importantly, HOW COOL IS METHUSELAH???

Jun 15, 2017

OT Difficulties: What To Do About Genocide

In our 2nd attempt at an important and controversial topic, Joel Short saves the day once again with his brilliance, wit, and supreme Oilers knowledge.

Jun 10, 2017

OT Difficulties: Creation and Evolution

There's a saying at Desiring Brethren: if you need extra brain-power, bring in a second Short. Dave's older brother Joel joins us this episode to talk creation, evolution, and how we read the Bible.

Jun 04, 2017

Sweatpants for the King

Dave gets extra-spicy this episode as we talk dressing up for church! So to honour him, pa-ra-pa-pa-pummmmmm, I wore my sweats for him, pa-ra-pa-pa-pummmmm

May 26, 2017

Dr. Phil Can't Be Wrong, Right?

This episode Jack grinds his ax, beats his recently-deceased horse, and makes sure to peeve his pet over the value of secular help. Tanner interrupts him a lot, while Dave just wants to know what's going on. WE LIKE TO FIGHT TOO!

May 13, 2017

End Times For Dummies?

Newspaper in one hand, Revelation in the other: what should be our response to those who are looking for signs of Armageddon? In this episode, populist-hero Dave battles the elitist-scum Jackson and Tanner over the rapture, Left Behind, and whether you should challenge those in your church that are keeping an eye on the sky.

May 08, 2017

CAMP! (Part 2: Crushes and Creationism)

We present the second part of our loooong conversation about camp, featuring the 'expert' Anna Page! We talk Evolution vs. Christianity, CTF, flirting, and even NUDE BUTTS (Dave made me write that).

Apr 28, 2017

CAMP! (Part 1: The Sing-Along)

With Anna Page popping in, we got so much content that we're putting out two episodes: so nice you have to listen twice! Part 1 is filled with bragging contests, off-key songs, seven baptisms (you read that right!), and so much more.

Apr 22, 2017

Jesus (and Elly) Wants You More Needy

Real talk: This is one of the best conversations we've ever had, and Dave wasn't there. Draw your own conclusions. After blowing the dust off the ole Master's thesis, Elly Krogman joins us to talk about one of her passions, rediscovering a theology of brokenness and need.

Apr 14, 2017

Should We Follow the Billy Graham Rule?

In 1948, Billy Graham committed to never be alone with a woman that wasn't his wife. In 2017, the 'Billy Graham Rule' is still going strong in the evangelical community, but rarely is it questioned. With Dave away this week, Jackson and Tanner talk with their former Bible School professor Elly Krogman about what impact the Rule might be having in our churches today.

Apr 09, 2017

Storing Up Bible Bucks in Heaven

This episode we enter the murky world of "heavenly rewards": the idea that based on our good deeds, some of us are gonna get (in Dave's words) Lamborghinis in heaven while others are gonna be stuck with old junkers. Spoiler alert: none of us understand this topic at all.

Mar 31, 2017

The Ocean: Existential Abyss of Terror

In this episode, we shine light on one of the earth's greatest mysteries: why did God make the ocean so spoooooky?

Mar 24, 2017

Are The Chronicles of Narnia Overrated?

Are C.S. Lewis' classic children's books boring and overrated, or exciting and profound? We ask the question that shall set son against father, daughter against mother, Tanner against Dave. This episode brings not peace, but a sword.

Mar 16, 2017

How Weird is Church After You Leave It?

Our good friend Brandon Buttery joins us this episode to talk about his experience leaving the church and how that's opened up his views on youth group, worship music, Jesus, and a whole lot more. Oh yeah, and folk-hero Tom MacPherson randomly drops by to give us one of the most epic rants on dating that you will ever hear!

Mar 09, 2017

Dave Loves Violence (in Movies)

Our friend and cinephile Brandon Buttery joins us this episode to talk violence in film, while Dave walks alone in his convictions on stylistic violence.

Mar 02, 2017

Should Christians Stop Watching Football?

Josh Siewert and Jesse Nakano join the podcast crew for a second episode to talk football, brain injuries, and whether Christians are partly to blame for the concussion crisis.

Feb 25, 2017

Dating in Bible College, Folk Hero Edition

Things get weird when Jesse Nakano and Josh Siewert join us to talk Bible school dating, but the best kind of weird. We also unexpectedly do a lot of promo for Mount Carmel (Bible College), so hopefully a paycheck is in the mail?

Feb 16, 2017

Velvet Hammers: Women in Church Leadership

In a second amazing interview, Alejandra 'The Velvet Hammer' Ortiz walk us through the challenges and joys of being a woman in church leadership in Mexico. Enjoy!

Feb 10, 2017

Rethinking Short-Term Missions with Alejandra Ortiz

Our churches do a lot of short-term mission trips to Mexico, but rarely do we hear from the local church leaders receiving them. In this episode we are joined by Alejandra Ortiz, a staff-member in the Mexican campus ministry Compa, to learn about the unforeseen consequences of short-term missions on the Mexican church and some positive new directions these trips are taking.

Feb 03, 2017

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